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We only had the best of intensions
Written by Thomas Costanzo Subject: Philosophy: LibertarianismETHICS, LAW & GOVERNMENT
By Robert E. Podolsky
As most people are aware, ethics are the means by which we decide what actions are permissible and what actions are not. What is less known is the fact that every ethic consists of two parts:
- A value that defines what it is that we want more of in our lives, or what we wish to maximize, and
- A belief, or system of beliefs, that describes what actions we are to take to obtain more of the value that we seek.
Still less often recognized is the fact that an ethic may be valid or invalid. Valid ethics produce the desired results – an increase in the values sought. Invalid ethics produce the opposite effect – a lessening of that which is sought or desired. As an example, consider the ethic adopted by our country's founders. The value they wished to maximize was freedom for the country's people (except possibly slaves and women). The belief system was based on the principles of a democratic republic honoring majority rule. What has been the outcome? Each year but two (1865 and 1920) we have had less freedom than the year before.
Today, through the proliferation of ever more restrictive laws, almost every aspect of our lives is regulated or controlled by our federal, state, county, or municipal governments. Without government permission we cannot own property, drive a car, board a plane, alter our home, open a bank account, operate a business, ingest prescribed medication, carry a firearm, or do any of a thousand other things that our forefathers and foremothers would have considered to be our inalienable rights. In short, the founders of our country chose to adopt an ethic that is invalid – because its adoption produced the opposite effect of that desired.
While we are on the subject of ethics, let's consider two other specific ethics that are especially relevant to an understanding of the dilemma that humanity currently faces. The first I shall refer to as the Power Ethic. This ethic seeks to maximize power over others in the hands of those who adopt it. The belief system that supports this ethic can be summarized by the statement, "Might makes right". In other words, those who can afford to buy weaponry and to pay or coerce young men and women to use those arms in battle have the right to exercise power over others for whatever reasons they wish. This is the ethic adopted by those who invented government as-we-know-it in Sumer eight thousand years ago. This ethic is still the creed of those who run the governments of the world today.
At first it might seem that the Power Ethic is valid – because, indeed, those who have adopted it have succeeded in accumulating more and more power over their fellow men and women. But there are secondary consequences. Included among these are wars, terrorism, slavery, hunger, poverty, international strife, drug addiction, interpersonal violence, bureaucracy, oligarchy, environmental degradation, and all manner of crime. If the macroscopic trend continues it is more than likely that the end result will be the total annihilation of all human life on our planet – thus reducing the earth to a radioactive cinder. Like a ubiquitous parasite, those who have adopted the Power Ethic will destroy their host and themselves with it. So in the end the ethic is not valid.
By contrast, consider an ethic that chooses creativity and its logical equivalents as the values to be maximized. Such resources as love, awareness, objective truth, and evolution may be considered as logical equivalents of creativity, because whenever one of these resources is increased they are all increased, and vice versa. John David Garcia, the brilliant author of Creative Transformation, called this ethic the Evolutionary Ethic, so I will do likewise. We might note at this point that all prosperity, and ultimately all happiness, derives from someone's creativity. The belief system that empowers this ethic begins with the notion that an act is good if it increases creativity or any of its logical equivalents for at least one person without limiting or diminishing creativity for anyone. From this definition a broad range of principles can be derived by simple logic. This ethic, it turns out, is valid. Curiously, the adoption of this ethic generally maximizes prosperity and happiness, even though these are not logical equivalents of creativity. In fact, ethics based on the maximization of prosperity and happiness are not valid – producing poverty and unhappiness instead. From this point on I shall use the terms ethical and unethical in reference to this ethic specifically.
There are several other valid ethics which I choose not to discuss in this article – except to note that each of them proves, upon close examination, to be logical equivalents of the Evolutionary Ethic in that they call for the same behavioral decisions when deciding between alternate courses of action.
From the foregoing we can see that humanity's BIG PROBLEM is the fact that the world's governments, without exception, have chosen the Power Ethic as their de facto basis rather than the Evolutionary Ethic or one of its logical equivalents. The BIG QUESTION that humanity faces today is whether this choice is irreversible – and if not, what we must do to avoid the doom that the Power Ethic is leading us toward.
In an ethical society freedom is limited by ethical law. Those who wish to behave in a parasitic or predatory manner are forbidden to do so. The mistake of our founding fathers was to maximize freedom in such a way that the most predatory, parasitic, and generally unethical persons were permitted to dictate the law, thereby making the rules that allowed the ultra-wealthy to dominate the rest of us. We must reverse this trend if humanity is to survive, let alone thrive. To achieve this end we must understand the nature of ethical law and refute the validity of unethical law. To aid in clarifying this distinction, I shall refer to unethical laws as government edicts, or simply as edicts.
In making this distinction let's ask the question: What is law? Does a person who has the resources to exercise power over others have the right to do so? If so, might makes right, and anyone who can afford to buy weapons and persuade others to use them to enforce their will has a right to so. This is the premise upon which all of today's governments are founded. This has been the true basis of law throughout the world for at least eight thousand years, since government was invented in Sumer .
If we reject the validity of this definition, and indeed we should, what is the alternative? To answer this question properly, we note first that all law presumes the use of force or power over others. But it takes only a simple exercise of logic to see that the exercise of power over others is only ethical in self defense against someone who has initiated or threatened the use of force for their own purposes. Therefore ethical laws are only those that provide defense against such unethical acts.
Since everyone has the right to defend themselves against the use of violence, it follows that everyone has the right to delegate to others their authority to defend themselves. From this we conclude that all ethical laws embody this principle: All ethical laws, all legitimate laws, represent a contract under which a group of individuals, each having the right of self defense, agrees to enforce a mutual defense pact. Ethical law can exist for this purpose alone.
Furthermore, we note that all existing laws, and edicts, forbid some act or permit the act only when a tax is paid to the government. Thus, laws and edicts fall into two categories delineated by the Latin names of the categories of acts which they forbid:
- Mala in se are acts generally recognized to be evil in and of themselves. These forbidden acts include murder, rape, torture, slavery, theft, robbery, fraud, assault, and a host of related acts long ago recognized as evils by the general public. The forbidding of mala in se is the basis of all legitimate laws – all other laws comprising artifacts of the Power Ethic.
- Mala prohibita are acts which are not evil in and of themselves; but which have been forbidden because someone wants to impose their will upon someone else. The vast majority of these Power Ethic edicts, forbidding mala prohibita, are readily recognized by one or more of three characteristics:
a. These edicts take resources (money, for example) away from one group of individuals, who own them, and bestow them upon another group of individuals, who do not own them. Taxes, in their various forms, comprise most of these instances. Government "takings" by eminent domain are another example.
b. These edicts forbid acts which are ethical and/or require acts which are unethical.
c. The enactment of these edicts requires the delegation to a governing body of authority which the legislators do not possess as individuals. In other words, they permit groups of people (e.g. legislators and law enforcement officials) to commit acts which would be illegal if performed by them as individuals.
From the foregoing we can logically conclude that the actions required for the enforcement of edicts forbidding mala prohibita are themselves mala in se. From these simple considerations we can now describe how our legal system must change if we are ever to live in an ethical society. The following description is not sufficient for the creation of an ethical society, but it is necessary. Absent these changes, those who believe that might makes right will continue their parasitic depredations, and the other changes that are necessary (and sufficient) for the emergence of an ethical society will never take place.
If we are ever to live in a just, ethical society, the law must be changed. Indeed, the legal system itself must be changed. Stated briefly, this means that we must stop enforcing laws against mala prohibita and delete these edicts from the law books. Let's examine more closely what such an undertaking entails. We start by reviewing the definition of an ethical act: An act is ethical if it increases creativity or any of its logical equivalents for at least one person, including the person acting, without limiting or diminishing the creativity of anyone.
The following secondary principles follow logically from the definition above and are specifically relevant to the actions of government or the state.
If we are ever to live in a just, ethical society, the law must be changed. Indeed, the legal system itself must be changed. Stated briefly, this means that we must stop enforcing laws against mala prohibita and delete these edicts from the law books. Let's examine more closely what such an undertaking entails. We start by reviewing the definition of an ethical act: An act is ethical if it increases creativity or any of its logical equivalents for at least one person, including the person acting, without limiting or diminishing the creativity of anyone.
The following secondary principles follow logically from the definition above and are specifically relevant to the actions of government or the state.
- Ownership is absolute:
The first requirement for the formation of a just society is that the public understand what is at stake. The basic principles of ethics and law are simple. They can be taught to children at an early age, beginning with the concept that ownership is absolute. Ownership is not a privilege granted by government – and it may not legitimately be denied or taken away by government except under the following two special circumstances: (a) when the purpose of such confiscation is restitution, whereby property that has been stolen by force, coercion, deceit, or edict-based ploy is returned to its rightful owners or (b) when the property confiscated is used by someone to violate another's rights, as when a law enforcement person disarms a violent or threatening perpetrator. Any grade-schooler can understand this. It is why as small children we feel violated when our parents insist we share something that we had been told we owned.
- Violation of ownership is theft – and theft is unethical:
As a logical consequence, property taxes, estate and inheritance taxes, duties, tariffs, and sales taxes must be abolished, thus acknowledging that government holds no ownership interest in the property currently being taxed. Of course the same principle applies to all other taxes as well.
Under our current system, all real property, i.e. real estate, is taxed by government entities, usually at the county level; such taxes constitute a form of rent paid by the would-be owner of the property. This practice would be appropriate if government owned the property. But in reality, government owns nothing that it has not taken from its rightful owners by deceit, force or coercion.
- Ongoing theft is slavery:
When someone takes another's money or property by force or coercion, the theft is called robbery. When this occurs on an ongoing basis, the theft comprises an act of slavery. Thus the taxation of revenue, as in the case of income taxes, is a case at point – it is slavery, a malum in se, and must be abolished for an ethical society to exist.
- Unethical means can never achieve ethical ends.
- All ethical means are ethical ends in themselves.
- The exercise of power over others (coercion) is unethical except in self defense.
- No individual has a right to perform any unethical act.
- No individual can delegate to another a right that he/she does not possess.
- No group (and therefore no government agency) can ethically perform acts which would be unethical if performed by an individual.
- No government has a right to perform unethical acts.
- Acts of government must be ethical to be legitimate – and therefore government acts which are not ethical are not legitimate.
- Only enactment of ethical laws and their enforcement are legitimate acts of government – and therefore written government mandates that allow government to steal from or enslave individuals are not legitimate laws. They are, rather, illegitimate edicts.
- Government edicts constitute predatory manipulations of the public in the service of special interests.
- The same reasoning applies to unethical regulations created and enforced by all government agencies.
- From the above principles we can logically conclude that (1) all legitimate laws must be ethical and that (2) it is unethical, and hence illegitimate for government to enact predatory edicts in the name of law.
Based on the preceding principles, we can now begin to sort out the specific categories of laws that are legitimate from the illegitimate edicts. The short list is comprised of those laws that are legitimate:
- Laws forbidding the initiation or threat of interpersonal violence.
- Laws forbidding theft, burglary, robbery, fraud, and contractual deception.
- Laws defining ethical contract relations.
- Laws defining ethical judicial procedure.
- Laws forbidding unethical acts of government.
- Laws providing ethical non-monopolistic services on a voluntary subscription basis.
- Laws protecting privacy.
It is tempting to say that all other laws are bogus, but it is possible that some valid forms of law may be mistakenly omitted from the above list. So to set the record straight, here is a list (probably incomplete) of some types of government edicts that are clearly illegitimate:
- All laws permitting slavery, bondage, and involuntary servitude, be it full-time or part-time, whole-body or partial. All taxes: direct, indirect, and hidden, fall into this category.
- All laws that would take a resource away from someone who owns it and gives it, directly or indirectly, to one who does not. Taxes, tariffs, and real estate takings are specifically included in this category, as are all government sponsored subsidies, foreign aid, charity, and "bailouts". All government activities paid for by confiscatory taxes are included.
- All laws regulating trade by imposing duties, taxes, or other fees that raise consumer prices on all goods or on specific goods selected by the regulating agency.
- Laws mandating trade embargos or sanctions.
- Laws that nurture parasitism at home or abroad.
- Laws requiring the purchase of permits before the owner of a property can alter or repair an item of real property.
- Laws requiring government inspection of real property that has been modified or repaired.
- All zoning and land-use laws.
- Laws requiring acquisition and use of a social security number or comparable identifier.
- Laws permitting surveillance, search, and seizure without probable cause and due process. All laws permitting government access to private records without probable cause fall into this category.
- Laws forbidding the use of strong encryption of private records and those forbidding the sale of software that provides such encryption.
- All Laws permitting "emergency powers" permitting suspension of these legal limitations of government power.
- All laws proposing to regulate the "professions".
- Every kind of licensing law, including (but not limited to) drivers' licenses, business licenses, professional licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, automobile registration laws, and laws mandating various insurances, such as automotive liability insurance, unemployment insurance, and workers' compensation insurance.
- Laws providing financial nurturance of the sick, the poor, the elderly, the unemployed, the business failure, the bankrupt bank, the collapsing foreign government, etc. These are not legitimate functions of government under any circumstances.
- Our entire system of government-run courts must be dismantled and replaced with a new private system, paid for by voluntary subscriptions; else judges will continue to have conflicts of interest when judging cases involving the practice of taxation. In the meantime, tax evasion defendants must demand that judges in such cases recuse themselves, because their salaries are directly at stake in the outcome.
It should be obvious to the reader that the changes to the law and to the legal system outlined above will be abhorrent to those who seek power over others and who profit from the depredations of government. Those in power today will stop at nothing to remain in power and to sustain their policies of slavery and corruption. Their first line of defense will be to persuade the public that the current system of government and law is necessary for the public's well-being. Those whose livelihoods derive from taxes will tend to agree. Those whose professional turf is protected from the competition of free enterprise will be happy to believe that government acts in their best interests.
The first priority for those of us who want to live in a thriving ethical society must be to demonstrate that the current system is not necessary – that, in fact, there is at least one viable alternative. Let's see how this might be accomplished.
It should be obvious to the reader that the changes to the law and to the legal system outlined above will be abhorrent to those who seek power over others and who profit from the depredations of government. Those in power today will stop at nothing to remain in power and to sustain their policies of slavery and corruption. Their first line of defense will be to persuade the public that the current system of government and law is necessary for the public's well-being. Those whose livelihoods derive from taxes will tend to agree. Those whose professional turf is protected from the competition of free enterprise will be happy to believe that government acts in their best interests.
The first priority for those of us who want to live in a thriving ethical society must be to demonstrate that the current system is not necessary – that, in fact, there is at least one viable alternative. Let's see how this might be accomplished.
The primary reason that most people fear anarchy and submit to government is the fact that government is organized. Government is based on an organizational principle. It presumes that hierarchy is the only valid form of organization that can result in a law-abiding society. But hierarchy was invented as a means of power-brokerage – the top-down sharing of power that allows those who participate to receive some of the benefits presumed to be owned by those at the top of the hierarchical pyramid. This presumption is directly derived from the Power Ethic. But we know from the ethics that this is invalid. Therefore we must also recognize that hierarchy is unethical. If we are ever to live in an ethical society we must replace hierarchy, as manifested in all our institutions, with an ethical form of organization. How can we do this?
There are many ethical organizations and many systems of ethical organization – but they all have one thing in common: Participation is voluntary, and therefore all group decisions are based on consensus – the unanimous consent of the group. For this to work, membership in the group must be based upon an ethical contract. There are many laws on the books that set out to define a valid contract – some are well written – others are not. The best ones contain the following basic elements and provisions:
- The parties to the contract are clearly identified.
- The purpose of the contract is clearly defined.
- What each party to the contract contributes to the group participating is specified.
- The liability that each participant undertakes – and the limitations thereto – is defined.
- What each party to the contract is to receive in exchange for his/her participation and contribution is clearly set forth (the quid pro quo).
- The duration of the agreement is specified together with the means by which the contract may be terminated.
- The right of any participant to withdraw from the contract is affirmed; and the legal and financial consequences of such withdrawal are specified.
- The means by which the contract can, and may be, amended are detailed.
- Violations of the contract are defined, together with the various consequences of such violations – including various penalties to which violators may be subject.
- The seperability of the terms of the contract is affirmed – assuring that if some portion of the contract is later deemed invalid that the remainder of the contract shall remain in effect.
- The means by which disputes concerning the contract and other matters are to be resolved is specified.
- The court having jurisdiction (if any) over disputes concerning the contract is specified.
- Affirmation that each person signing the contract has read it, understands it, and has received adequate legal advice to understand all the possible legal consequences that may result from becoming a party to it.
- Affirmation that each person signing the contract does so of their own free will.
- Signatures of the parties and (where applicable) signatures of witnesses.
At this point it behooves us to consider the myth of the "social contract". Many apologists for the status quo assert that we are all born as parties to a contract – and that, as a consequence, we are all subject to liabilities defined by the state or government. In other words, in return for the various benefits, real or imagined, that we receive from the government, we owe the government a portion of whatever resources we derive from our experience of life. We should note that the only people who promote this myth are those who want to spend our money or to exercise power over us through the enforcement of edicts forbidding mala prohibita. They would have us believe that they have a valid claim on the money that we receive in exchange for our creativity and productivity.
Now ask yourself:
Now ask yourself:
- Did I sign this so-called contract?
- Did I voluntarily agree to the terms of this contract?
- Does this contract promise to give me something that I actually want?
- If so, am I free to acquire that which I want in other ways?
- Does this contract contain a valid exit clause?
- Does this contract specify the quid pro quo that tells me what I am to contribute and what I am to receive in return?
- Does this contract specify what actions on the part of government constitute a breach of the contract and the penalties that attach thereto?
- Does this contract affirm my right to withdraw from the contract?
Even proponents of this mythological contract only answer "yes" to the last question above. They say I can withdraw from the contract by giving up my citizenship and leaving the country. This is the logical equivalent of saying, "submit to the contract or else…" And what is the "else"? It is the loss of every birth-right that is mine – inviolate and inalienable.
Thus we see that the enforcement of this fictitious contract by edict constitutes mala in se – an evil (unethical) act in and of itself, unsupported even by the government's own contract laws. I categorically reject the "social contract" and defy anyone to write a cogent, rational, ethical defense of it.
So how can we organize a group of persons in a manner that is ethical and lawful? More specifically, how can we maximize the creativity of the group to be organized within a set of ethical constraints? The requirements of a legitimate contract, as specified above, comprise a good starting point. The mandates of the Titanian Code of Honor can be added because they are compatible with these contractual principles and expand somewhat the scope of the agreement upon which the group is to be organized. If properly enforced, this addition requires that the group will undertake to achieve only ethical outcomes and to use only means which are ethical ends in themselves. For a still broader set of constraints the group may choose to incorporate the Bill of Ethics into its founding documents or bylaws, as illustrated in the Constitution of Titania.
If we want the group being organized to be as creative as possible, which is a highly desirable goal, then we have to consider the size of the group as one of the variables that must be optimized as well. The twenty years of research on this subject by the late John David Garcia proves, with a high degree of confidence, that the optimum number of participants is eight, where, as nearly as possible, the numbers of men and women in the group are equal. Small variations from this 4x4 formula are acceptable. So a group of four men and five women works, as does a group of four men and three women. In either of these cases the number of one gender does not exceed the number of the opposite gender by more than one, and the total varies from eight by no more than one. For convenience I call a group defined in this way, and trained in an optimized communication process, an Octologue. The easily learned communication process makes unanimous decision-making fairly easy and acts as a creativity amplifier. John David Garcia invented the process and through my own research I have enhanced it – we call it "autopoesis".
If we want the group being organized to be as creative as possible, which is a highly desirable goal, then we have to consider the size of the group as one of the variables that must be optimized as well. The twenty years of research on this subject by the late John David Garcia proves, with a high degree of confidence, that the optimum number of participants is eight, where, as nearly as possible, the numbers of men and women in the group are equal. Small variations from this 4x4 formula are acceptable. So a group of four men and five women works, as does a group of four men and three women. In either of these cases the number of one gender does not exceed the number of the opposite gender by more than one, and the total varies from eight by no more than one. For convenience I call a group defined in this way, and trained in an optimized communication process, an Octologue. The easily learned communication process makes unanimous decision-making fairly easy and acts as a creativity amplifier. John David Garcia invented the process and through my own research I have enhanced it – we call it "autopoesis".
Although implicit in the above description, it may not be obvious that the decisions of an Octologue are constrained to be unanimous. Majority rule is specifically not acceptable, because it violates the principles of the Evolutionary Ethic. The sole exception to this mandate is that the group may unanimously decide to delegate its authority to an individual or to a committee – such authority to be revocable by any member of the Octologue if the designated member or group fails to act in accordance with the unanimous will of the Octologue as a whole.
If you have been following this discussion closely it should be obvious that there are many valid ethical purposes that call for more than eight or nine participants. How are these to be achieved with only eight or nine people? Well of course they cannot. But the solution to this difficulty is fairly simple. For a project requiring more than eight people multiple independent Octologues can contract to work in concert toward a common ethical goal or purpose. I call such a contractual concatenation of Octologues a Holomatic Matrix – or HoloMat for short. Employing the contractual principles described previously, there is no limit to the number of people that can participate in a HoloMat. For really big projects a HoloMat could consist of millions of people!
The foregoing subject-matter raises many questions that are beyond the scope of this brief introductory article. Included among them are:
- What massive evidence exists to indicate the validity of the Evolutionary Ethic?
- Why should we believe the Evolutionary Ethic truly has the beneficial transformative power suggested?
- How can a socially stable society be attained and maintained without resort to the use of taxation?
- How can laws against mala in se be enforced without resort to edicts forbidding mala prohibita?
- How can those who benefit the most from governmental adoption of the Power Ethic be persuaded to give up their coercive power in favor of the Evolutionary Ethic?
- Can this transformation be achieved without resort to armed revolution?
- What resources will be required to bring about such a transformation?
- Once achieved, what effects will the transformation have on the economy, foreign policy, business, education, and labor relations?
Answers to these questions exist. But the most important question you must answer yourself: How committed are you to living in a truly ethical society – and what will be your contribution to its creation?
Ethics, Law, & Government
Robert E. Podolsky
Robert E. Podolsky


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Wine Tasting
Central California
Spotlight: Pinnacles National Park
California's newest national park is home to cliffs, crags and cave formations that were formed by an ancient volcano. Shaking and quaking along the San Andreas Fault carried volcanic rocks from the eruption, actually 200 miles south-east, to their present home at this spot in the Salinas Valley. Now, millions of years later, the site is a visual and physical stunner. Follow your torch beam as you explore winding caves. Crane your neck to watch climbers scale the rocky pinnacles. Scan the skies for California condors and hike among spring wild flowers. In summer, temperatures can soar over 37°C during the day, but at night, uncountable stars sparkle in the cool night sky.
Pinnacles National Park is divided into two sides—east and west—and there is no way to drive through the park from one side to the other (though you can do it on foot—a roughly 5-mile hike).
The west side is accessible from Highway 101 near the town of Soledad. Head east along Highway 146 to the park entrance. A small visitor centre is located there, but there are no overnight accommodations and no campground. Gates on the west side stay open from 7:30am to 8pm daily. You can leave after 8pm, but you can't drive in. The east entrance, off Highway 25 roughly 30 miles south of Hollister, is open 24/7, and there is camping, a visitor centre and a camp shop.
Talus Caves
Pinnacles' caves are nothing like the limestone caverns found in many places in the U.S. Technically, they are not caves at all. Over thousands of years, running water slowly eroded deep and narrow chasms amid the Pinnacles' giant rocks. Huge chunks of these rocks fragmented, broke off, and fell into the chasms. Sometimes these rocks were too large to fit inside, so they were caught, forming a 'roof' and creating these rocky tunnels, known as talus caves.
"Wow, it's dark in here."
The park has two sets of these caves open to visitors. Balconies Caves, on the park's west side, stay open year-round, except after very heavy winter rains (call ahead to check status). Bear Gulch Caves, on the park's east side, are sometimes closed to protect the Townsend's big-eared bats that live and rear their young (usually mid-May to mid-July, when the caves typically close). Check status in advance.
No matter where you want to explore, no spelunking skills are needed, but bring your sense of adventure. As you enter, turn on your headlamp (or mobile phone light), then squeeze through narrow clefts, duck under ledges and twist through narrow passageways. Listen and see if you catch your fellow visitors saying this common refrain: "Wow, it's dark in here." Yup.
High Peaks Area
The park's most exciting hike is the trek to the High Peaks, a series of jagged pinnacles that can be seen from miles away. The highest of the High Peaks sits at 2,720 feet, which may not seem like much until you're on top looking down. Though you can reach the peaks from either the east or west entrance station, the trek is shorter from the east side at Bear Gulch (6-mile round-trip, depending on which trail you take). Either way, you'll climb about 1,400 feet and be amazed by the final mile of trail: a feat of very creative trail building by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The path wanders through a rocky labyrinth, tracing along a series of narrow passageways, and ascending over, around, and in between a maze of boulders. Handholds and footholds are blasted into the rock; steel guardrails are embedded for safety. (If you're not crazy about heights, take the alternate Tunnel Trail.)
When you reach High Peaks' summit, look down and across at the park's huge expanse of undulating grasslands and rock monoliths. Look up for condors too—you might be closer to them here than anywhere else in the park.
Rock Climbing in Pinnacles
This park's rocky spires and pinnacles, created by volcanic activity and earthquake chaos, have long attracted rock climbers. Both the east side and west side entrances provide access to numerous climbs for all levels of climbers, and the most popular routes are clearly marked. If you have climbed elsewhere, keep in mind that this rock is not solid granite; it's much weaker volcanic breccia, and it 'gives' a bit more easily than granite. The park's east side tends to have harder, less crumbly rock, and more routes that can be top-roped.
Pinnacles makes a great destination for taking those rock wall skills you learned in a gym and testing them out in the real world. Classes for all levels are offered by several companies and some offer multi-day climbing camps. The beginner climbs 'Tourist Trap' and 'Discovery Wall' are found a few minutes walk from Bear Gulch. The park's west side offers more multi-pitch routes that require lead climbing. A bonus is that the season runs most of the year except for summer, when the temperatures get uncomfortably hot. Some routes close for part of the year, usually January to July, to protect nesting birds, especially peregrine falcons and eagles.
If you would like to learn how to climb, several companies provide lessons and multi-day rock climbing camps at Pinnacles.
Camping at Pinnacles
Located on Pinnacles' east side, the park's sole campground has 134 sites, a swimming pool, showers and flush toilets, and a surprisingly well-stocked camp shop that sells a lot of ice cream. (Pack meticulously: the nearest supermarket is in Hollister, 32 miles away.) Pinnacles' night sky is sufficiently dark for stargazing, and campers have a good chance of seeing wildlife; keep your eyes and ears peeled for deer, coyotes, raccoons, foxes and a wide variety of birds, from the chatty acorn woodpecker to the enormous California condor. The campground's busy season is spring and autumn (it's very hot here in summer). Be sure to choose a site that has shade, even in cooler months.
Wildflowers in Pinnacles
Spring comes early to Pinnacles National Park, and with it swarms legions of wildflower lovers hoping to catch the bloom at its peak. Thanks to its rich volcanic soil and vast grasslands, Pinnacles is an ideal spot for wild flowers. California poppies line the creek beds, mariposa lilies shine bright white in the tall grass and shooting stars cluster in wet meadows. The intoxicating scent of lupine can almost knock you over. Over 80 percent of the park's plants flower between March and May, but in many years you'll find blooms as early as January or February. The flowers are just about everywhere you look, but the High Peaks Loop, Balconies Trail and Juniper Canyon Trail are sure bets. To check species, scan the online wild flower gallery or print the wonky but useful plant list.
The Inn at Tres Pinos
First-time visitors are surprised at how 'out there' Pinnacles National Park is. Eighty percent of the park is wilderness, but what surrounds the park is also mostly wilderness—the undeveloped foothills of the Gabilan Mountains. No restaurants. No petrol stations. No supermarket. If you're camping, you may grow weary of blackened hot dogs. If you're driving back to civilisation after a long day of hiking, your stomach may be growling. Head to the Inn at Tres Pinos, a restaurant where they won't scoff at your hiking boots. In fact, you can wear your cowboy hat.
The inn was a favourite watering hole of 1880s cattle ranchers and the site of a one-time brothel. In the centre of Tres Pinos, a town of about 500 residents, this historic landmark serves up filet mignon, salmon, veal (thankfully, no hot dogs); enjoy it all with a glass of local San Benito County wine served in an unpretentious dining room. Check out the saloon's antique brass cash register and rickety wooden floorboards.
Nighttime Activities
Pinnacles National Park is a hiker's paradise in the daytime, but it's equally intriguing at night. The region's dark skies, far from city lights, ensure great stargazing which can be enjoyed just by throwing down a blanket anywhere there's a clear view of the night sky. On most Saturday nights, you can join a park ranger for a one-hour, 1-mile hike under the stars. The walk starts at the Peaks View parking lot on the park's east side and heads to the South Wilderness trailhead and back. A similar trip is offered on full moon nights throughout the year. Between spring and autumn, rangers also host night-time cave explorations—what the heck, the caves are dark anyway—as well as excursions to look for resident Townsend's big-eared bats. Check the park's website for a list of monthly offerings, and be sure to reserve a spot at the Pinnacles Visitor Center (events are free but limited to 25 people).
Spying California Condors
California condors are so big they make eagles look small. Sometimes when flying, they are mistaken for small aeroplanes. They're the largest of all North American land birds with a wingspan of more than 9 feet.
Alas, being big did not protect these incredible birds from near-extinction. By 1987 only 22 California condors remained in the world. At that time, experts banded to together to make a critical decision to capture the last of the wild condors and place them in a captive breeding programme.
Sixteen years later, the Pinnacles became an official condor recovery site. Currently, park biologists manage more than two dozen condors. Each bird is identified by a three-digit number on its wing tag. The condors come and go freely, often soaring west to Big Sur to mingle with the 30-odd condors that live there. For your best chance to see condors at Pinnacles, hike to the High Peaks in the early morning or early evening. Also scan the skies above the ridge south-east of the campground; spotting scopes are usually set up near the visitor centre.
Wine Tasting
There's nothing quite like a glass of wine to cap off a day of hiking. Fortunately, two separate wine trails lie within about an hour's drive from both of Pinnacles' entrances. From the east entrance, head north on Highway 25 for about 30 miles to the Tres Pinos area, where the Cienega Valley Loop travels past a half-dozen San Benito County wineries, including DeRose, the oldest winery in California, started by a French immigrant in 1855. (Side note: the winery happens to sit right along the San Andreas Fault.) The Cienega Valley's soil is rich with limestone deposits, making ideal growing conditions for pinot noir and chardonnay grapes.
From the west entrance, explore the River Road Wine Trail of the fertile Salinas Valley. Head west on Highway 146 toward Soledad and U.S. 101, where you'll find Hahn Estates Winery, Paraiso Vineyards, Wrath Winery and many others on the River Road Wine Trail winding through the Santa Lucia Highlands.
Things to Do in Pinnacles National Park
The Pinnacles Volcanic Formation developed some 23 million years ago. But it wasn't until January of 2013 that this area was designated as a national park, making it the youngest one in the state of California. Pinnacles National Park gets its name from towering, domed rock structures that seem to bulge out of the earth. Located east of the Salinas Valley, it's the perfect place to enjoy natural wonder that still feels a bit off the beaten path.
Pitch a tent at Pinnacles Campground
Peaceful, year-round camping can be found on the east side. (The park has east and west entrances that are not connected.) Reserve your spot and bring gear, or park your camper—RV sites are available. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring, and many are surrounded by oak trees, providing shade and privacy. Fall asleep under the stars and wake up to the sound of birds chirping and deer drinking from the waterway nearby.
Rock climb a towering spire on the west side
Chalk up, clip in, and climb on at one of the west side's many routes. At this end of the park, the rocks are higher, the routes are more challenging and the soft volcanic breccia is more flexible than typical granite—making it a better option for advanced climbers. Beginners can book a trip with a group like Adventure Out, which offers weekend adventures for all levels.
Bird-watch close to 200 different species
California condors are the park's signature bird. With a nine-foot wingspan and a completely bald head, the impressive creatures are difficult to miss. Bring your binoculars and stay on the lookout for these prehistoric-looking scavengers as well as nearly 200 other distinct species, including turkey vultures, hawks, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons.
Explore Bear Gulch Cave Trail
Get your Raiders of the Lost Ark on with this accessible-but-adventurous 1.5-mile hike. You'll feel like Indiana Jones as you walk through the trail's two separate caves. Insider tip: Take a flashlight to navigate the rocky, lightless paths.
Hike Moses Spring Trail
This mile-around, out-and-back hike takes visitors up 377 feet of elevation gain to Bear Gulch Reservoir. Sky-high volcanic structures line the trail, which includes some easy-to-navigate caves. The forgiving terrain and short distance make this a great choice for kids.

subset: commoncrawl


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Thai cuisine is currently enjoying an international vogue. There are numerous Thai restaurants all over the world in the large cities, learning essential herbs to healing mind and healthy body by food.
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Basil (Horapha, Kaphrao, Maenglak) Horapha, kaphrao, maenglak are varieties of sweet basil. Horapha seems to be the nearest to the sweet basil used in European tomato dishes and Italian pesto. Horapha is used here as a vegetable and for flavoring. Fresh leaves are narrower and often tinged with reddish purple. It releases its aroma and flavor only when cooked and is used with fish, beef and chicken. Maenglak leaves are slightly hairy and paler green than Horapha. It is sometimes called lemon-scented basil but definitely has a peppery taste when chewed; it is very similar to Halian dwarf basil and is used as a vegetable and for flavoring.
Cinnamon (Ob Choei) Form the bark of a tree, the type of cinnamon used in Thailand is of only one kind, that from the Cassia tree. It is used in meat dishes and particularly in Massaman curry a garnish.
Hot Chilli Pepper (Phrik Khi Noo) The smallest of the chilies, of which the kind called phrik khi nu suan is the hottest. Take care when chopping them, and do not rub your eyes. Chilies stimulate blood circulation and are reputed to help prevent heart disease and cancer.
Chilli pepper (Phrik Chi Fa) Phrik chi fa are finger size, growing 9-12 centimeters in length, and ether yellow, red or green. Not as hot as the bird chilli. There is no discernable difference between the colors.
Citron (Som Sa) Citron (Citrus medica var limetta) is a round dark green fruit. Its thick, very aromatic skin is much used for flavoring. Sour orange juice and orange peel would make the best substitute.
Cloves (Kanphlu) Cloves (Eugenia aromatica) are the dried flower buds of an evergreen tree native to the Molucca Islands. They are almost as expensive as saffron because crops often fail, they are much used in Western cooking and the oil is antiseptic. Cloves are used in Massaman curry and to chew as a relief for toothache.
Coriander (Phak Chee) The leaves are often chosen for decoration, with stem and roots for seasoning. Heavily used in Asian kitchens, the Thai kitchen is the only one to use the roots as well.
Cumin (Yira) Seeds look like caraway and fennel, but taste quite different and have to be heated to release their aroma. Only cumin is used in Thai cooking, mainly in the making of curry pastes.
Galangal (Kha) Resembling an upturned claw, this member of the ginger family is a pale pink rhizome with a subtle citrus flavor. It is usually added in large pieces to impart flavor to fish or chicken stock, or used in making curry pastes. Fresh young ginger can be substituted, but you will not end up with the same flavor.
Garlic (Krathiam) Thailand is literally overflowing with garlic plants. Whole cloves, smashed garlic and garlic oil are used in almost every Thai dish. To make garlic oil, chop a handful of garlic, and fry it in plenty of hot oil until golden. The oil and the fried garlics can be stored in a jar for garnishing soup and for tossing with noodles and rice.
Ginger (Khing) Resembling a flat hand, ginger has over 400 members included in its family. Always choose young fresh ginger if available. Easily grated, it is eaten raw or cooked and is used widely in many Asian cuisines. Young ginger pounded with a little salt, pepper and garlic is good too as a marinate for chicken or beef. Ginger is acknowledged to improve digestion and to counteract nausea and vomiting.
Fingerroot or Chinese Ginger is Krachai called by Thai people and country. The tubers of this member of the ginger family look like a bunch of yellow brown fingers. Krachai is always added to fish curries, and peeled and served as a raw vegetable with the popular summer rice dish, Khao Chae.
Kaffir Lime Leaf (Bai Ma Krut) From the kaffir lime, which has virtually no juice these fleshy green and glossy leaves resemble a figure eight. Imparting a unique flavor, they can be finely shredded and added to salads, or torn and added to soups and curries. Can be substituted with other lemon-flavored herbs, but the best option is to freeze the leaves when you can find them, as they retain all their flavor and texture on thawing.
Lime (Ma Nao) The whole fruit is used. It is an excellent source of vitamin C and is used to enhance the flavor of chili-hot condiments, as well as create some very special salads and desserts, and adorn most dishes as a condiment.
Lemongrass (Ta Khrai) This hard grass grows rapidly in almost any soil. The base of 10-12 centimeters length of the plant is used, with the green leafy part discarded. Young tender lemongrass stalks can be finely chopped and eaten, but older stalks should be cut into 3-5 centimeters lengths and bruised before being added only as a flavoring agent. It is indispensable for tom yam. Lemongrass oil will sooth an upset stomach and indigestion.
Mint (bai saranae) This mint (Mentha arvensis) is similar to the mint used for mint sauce in England and is used in Thai food as a vegetable and a flavoring.
Nutmeg (Look Chan) The nut is enclosed in a very hard brown shell. It is used in the making of Massaman curry paste.
Pandan Leaf (Bai Toei) Long narrow green leaves of a herbaceous plant used for flavouring and colour. There is no substitute of the flavoring and color. There is no substitute for the flavor but green coloring may be used as a substitute for the color.
Pepper (Prik Thai): Black, white or green peppercorn types. Black is milder and more aromatic than white. Green peppercorns have a special taste all their own and are available al year round but are best towards the end of the rainy season. Used as flavoring.
Sesame (Nga) Identical to sesame seeds the world over. In Thai cooking, sesame seeds are used for oil and for flavoring. These tiny seeds are rich in protein.
Shallot (Hom Daeng) These small, zesty, Thai red onions are sweet and aromatic. An essential ingredient in many Thai dishes because of their taste and appearance, they can be substituted with European shallots, small red onions or small brown onions.
Spring Onions (Ton Hom) These green onions (Allium fistulosom) are used for garnishing soups and salads and as vegetables.
Turmeric (Kha Min) These small, bright orange roots are used for the coloring in yellow curries. White turmeric, a different type, is used as a raw vegetable and resembles ginger. It taste only slightly peppery and has a pleasant tang.


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Hershberg & Hershberg is proud of its role as principal designer of a number of parks and public places. On most projects H & H was either the sole designer or took the lead as lead designer of the facility. Included in these are the Capital Hills at Albany (formerly the New Course at Albany), the City of Albany Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Westland Hills Park, the Washington Park Amphitheatre (home to the Park Playhouse), Pastures Urban Renewal Area, Washington Park Tennis Courts, Lincoln Park Tennis Courts, Boght Baseball Complex, West Albany Ballfields, Park South Urban Renewal Area and a number of playfields and sports facilities in conjunction with public, private and charter schools where site work design was provided by our office.
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Girl buys water, spends night in jail
Felony charges were dropped on Thursday against a 20-year-old University of Virginia student who says she panicked when undercover agents from the state's Alcohol Beverage Control division mistook her water purchase for beer.
According to Charlottesville (Va.) Daily Progress, the student, Elizabeth Daly, was walking to her car on April 11 at approximately 10:15 p.m. with a box of sparkling water, cookie dough and ice cream she had just bought from a local supermarket when the agents—six men and one woman, all in plainclothes—approached suspecting the box, a blue carton of LaCroix sparkling water, to be a 12-pack of beer. One jumped on the hood of her SUV; another pulled out a gun, Daly said, as her roommates seated inside looked on in horror.
"They were showing unidentifiable badges after they approached us, but we became frightened, as they were not in anything close to a uniform," Daly wrote in an account submitted to the court. "I couldn't put my windows down unless I started my car, and when I started my car they began yelling to not move the car, not to start the car. They began trying to break the windows. My roommates and I were ... terrified."
Daly's roommate in the front passenger seat told her to "go, go, go"—and that's what she did, apparently "grazing" two of the agents in the process.
The students called 911 as they left the parking lot, police said, and were pulled over by another agent driving a vehicle with lights and sirens, Charlottesville Commonwealth Attorney Dave Chapman told the paper.
Daly apologized when she realized who they were, Chapman said, but agents arrested Daly and charged her with two counts of assaulting a law enforcement officer and one count of eluding police—each carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $2,500 in fines. She spent the night in Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.
"This has been an extremely trying experience," Daly wrote. "It is something to this day I cannot understand or believe has come to this point."
Either can Chapman.
"It wouldn't be the right thing to do to prosecute this," he said.
Nonetheless, Chapman "stood by the agents' decision to file charges, citing faith in a process that yielded an appropriate resolution."
"You don't know all the facts until you complete the investigation," he said.


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A Chief Ink Maker shows how colour and ink is created from the raw ingredients–powder, varnish, and passion. Everything designers and printers need to know about the process, the challenges and joy of ink making.
Find out more about us at: http://www.theprintinginkcompany.ca/
Presented by Peter Welfare, president and head inkmaker, The Printing Ink Company.
The Printing Ink Company:
True Performance in Colour
Written and produced by
Ian Daffern
Directed and Edited by
Tate Young


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This is historical material "frozen in time". The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.
The White House
July 08, 2009
Press Briefing By Mike Froman, Deputy National Security Advisor For International Economic Affairs
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release July 8, 2009
For Immediate Release July 8, 2009
G-8 Press Filing Center
L'Aquila, Italy
L'Aquila, Italy
11:05 A.M. (Local)
MR. HAMMER: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Italy. We have an opportunity here to speak with Mike Froman, who is the Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs. We have a brief window. He's going to give some remarks and then take your questions.
MR. FROMAN: Thanks, Mike. Welcome to Italy. The summit will begin with a lunch discussion of the global economy, where the leaders will focus on where we are in the recovery, what additional -- or what next steps need to be taken, both with regard to fixing the financial system, with the status of restoring growth, and also preparation for exit strategies.
There will be discussions this afternoon of global issues, including development issues, climate change, food security. And then tonight, there will be a dinner -- a leaders-only dinner that will focus on geopolitical issues, where we expect issues like Iran, nonproliferation, North Korea, and other issues of that sort to be discussed.
There will be a series of declarations issued after the afternoon session. There will be three declarations -- one on the global economy, one on development in Africa, and one on climate change. And there will be an additional political declaration released after the dinner tonight.
And with that, why don't I open it up for questions.
Q What are you hoping for out of the political declarations on Iran, both on the weapons issue and on the post-election?
MR. FROMAN: Well, I'm not going to --
Q Can you repeat the question?
MR. FROMAN: The question was, what are we expecting out of the political declaration, particularly with regard to Iran, both on the election and on the nuclear issues.
Rather than preempt what the leaders might issue, I think we'll wait for the declaration, but I think there will be a good discussion among leaders about -- and sharing their perspectives on Iran more generally on both sets of issues.
Q Will there be a separate document? There was talk about that for Iran, to take it out of the political declaration and having an adult document for that.
MR. FROMAN: Not clear at this time.
Q But does the U.S. support that position?
MR. FROMAN: I'd say -- I have no information about that at this time.
Q (Inaudible) tomorrow, but I understand that the Major Economies Forum, the sherpas and (inaudible) reached agreement on climate change, and I understand that that drops the numerical targets from the draft agreement, the 50 percent and 80 percent reductions by 2050. Could you comment on that, Mike?
MR. FROMAN: I think you'll see the whole declaration tomorrow. You'll also see a climate portion of the G8 declaration today. The Major Economies Forum declaration deals with the whole set of issues around Copenhagen, including mitigation, adaptation, financing, and technology. And we'll go through the details of it after it's released.
Our view is that it represents a significant step forward in terms of adding political momentum on the key issues to be dealt with in the U.N. process, but that there is still a lot of work to be done and these are difficult issues and the negotiators will be meeting going forward to try and resolve them.
Q There were reports today -- yesterday and today about the lack of preparation and inattention of the Italian presidency in the run-up to this summit. The New York Times makes the case today in the op-ed, claiming that President Obama should take the lead to fill this gap. How do you comment on that? And the second question is it looks like you had a lot to do in the run-up to this summit because of the Italian --you personally, yes -- (laughter) -- and that you had to call a sherpa conference because the Italian presidency didn't do that.
MR. FROMAN: Yes, I saw stories to that effect. Let me say first of all, that specific reference to us calling us a separate sherpa call is not true. I'm not sure where it came from and there was -- I'm also the sherpa for the G20 process. We did have a call about the Pittsburgh summit a week or so ago, as we're leading that summit, but we did not call a G8 sherpa call.
MR. FROMAN: Yes, I saw stories to that effect. Let me say first of all, that specific reference to us calling us a separate sherpa call is not true. I'm not sure where it came from and there was -- I'm also the sherpa for the G20 process. We did have a call about the Pittsburgh summit a week or so ago, as we're leading that summit, but we did not call a G8 sherpa call.
Let me say more generally, I think the Italian presidency has done a terrific job of preparing for the summit and I think both in the physical sense that we're here at a place that just a few months ago would not have envisaged having such a summit, and they've done a terrific job of building out this facility and making it possible for the leaders to gather in an appropriate location given the earthquake.
But secondly, on the agenda, I think the Italians defined an agenda early on and worked methodically through it. The way the G8 works is we all contribute to the process and each of our leaders and each of our administrations have particular issues that we work with the presidency on to put on the agenda and to hopefully get adopted at the summit.
We've done that on some issues, but on many of the issues -- take food security, for example, while it's been a major focus of ours, it goes back to the G8 summit of last year in Toyako where the G8 made a major initiative of food security. We're trying to take it to the next step and we've been working hand in glove with the Italian presidency, who also feels very strongly about the issue.
So I'm somewhat surprised by the reports. I think the Italian presidency has done a very good job of preparing for the summit and I think it will be a successful summit.
Q Can you give us an update on where the G8 is generally on economic security and exit strategies or pumping more money -- where are you?
MR. FROMAN: Well, you'll see the final declaration in a few hours, but I'd refer you back to the finance ministers' declaration in Lecce from a few weeks ago, where the G8 finance ministers got together to discuss the macroeconomic situation. Secretary Geithner was there and --
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. FROMAN: I think you'll find that there will be discussion of -- that there is still uncertainty and risk in the system, but that it's also important to return to fiscal sustainability in the mid-term, and that sort of balance will be struck most likely here at the leaders, as well.
Q I just wanted to follow up on the exit strategy issues. Do we and some of the Europeans differ on when you start pulling the plug?
MR. FROMAN: I don't think so. I think, again, if you look at the Lecce statement of finance ministers, that was a whole G8 statement and you'll see that it was a consensus view that we are still in the midst of an economic downturn, that there -- while there is some positive signs, there is also uncertainty and risk out there; that we all agree that we need to return to fiscal sustainability in the mid-term. And with regard to specifics, the specific question about exit strategies, people said it's time to prepare exit strategies, but not necessarily to put them into place yet.
Q Does the President's acknowledgment that he's open to a second stimulus complicate that process of exit strategies and the negotiations on that here?
MR. FROMAN: No, I don't think so. I think every country will evaluate its own situation and its own capacity and need for action. I think as a whole, the G8 shares a perspective that it's important that we come out of this with a balanced and sustained growth, that we take the necessary actions to do so, and that we return to fiscal sustainability over the mid-term.
Q Can I ask you (inaudible)?
MR. FROMAN: The question was about food security and to elaborate on that. There will also likely be a statement on that, as well. This is an area of great interest to the President and to Secretary of State Clinton, who's been very active in shaping this initiative. It embodies several ideas about how to go about development policy: for example, supporting country-owned programs, doing so in a comprehensive way; so covering all the various parts of the agricultural development, agricultural productivity and food security issues; doing so in a coordinated fashion among donors so that instead of each of us doing scattershot programs we're working together to fill the needs of the country-owned programs; leveraging multilateral institutions where appropriate; and making a significant and sustained financial commitment to the area.
There are those five principles that have been -- that I think you'll find to be embraced by the G8 and others. This is actually a larger statement than just the G8, and there will be a financial element to that, as well.
Q (Inaudible.)
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. FROMAN: Not yet. It's still a work in progress. Countries are coming up with additional commitments, and by Friday we should have a number.
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. FROMAN: I'm sorry?
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. FROMAN: The President announced in April that he would seek to double the U.S. commitment to food security and to seek a billion dollars for the FY10 budget for food security, and so the U.S. will be a significant part of this initiative, but it also very much leverages other countries' commitments, as well.
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. FROMAN: I'm not sure what you're referring to.
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. FROMAN: I think one of the important outcomes of this summit will be a focus on accountability, and you'll see that the G8 is taking steps, again not just to make commitments but to hold itself accountable for how it fulfills those commitments. There will be more data published and there will be an ongoing process to deal with accountability.
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. FROMAN: Well, of course, you know President Hu has returned to China, and so I don't know what the latest on the bilat schedule is.
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. FROMAN: My understanding is State Councilor Dai will be representing China in the meetings here.
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. FROMAN: I'm sorry, one more time?
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. FROMAN: I think there will a be discussion as they review the state of the global economy on where we are on a number of the follow-up items within the G20 from London, not necessarily specific going down a series of things, but an affirmation that we not only need to take steps to recover from this crisis but also to prevent future such crises from developing in the future.
Q What, concretely, do you expect to get out of discussions on Iran, North Korea and nuclear nonproliferation?
MR. FROMAN: I think I'll leave that for the political discussion tonight and the political statement. I think on nonproliferation specifically it's an area -- of course the President has laid out an initiative in his Prague speech, and I'd expect there to be some embracing of the principles of that speech by the rest of the G8.
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. FROMAN: I think the leaders will have a broad-based discussion of where we are with the economic recovery. I don't expect any of the leaders to push each other for any particular response, more that they are working together and coordinating their efforts to get out of the recession as quickly as possible.
Q Sir, if the statement on Iran tonight is largely the same that the one -- you know, that's been released in Trieste by the foreign ministers, what would that mean -- that nothing happened between the two summits?
MR. FROMAN: I'm going to leave that to the political discussion tonight and to the issuing of the statement afterwards.
MR. HAMMER: One last one because Mike has got to run.
Q I noticed that you didn't know the status of the bilat with President Hu because he went back. But, I mean, it was supposed to be tomorrow morning at 10:00, so most likely it's going to happen. How disappointing is it that that bilat won't happen because of the fact that, you know, you have a big agenda, including North Korea, trying to move that forward. Is it disappointing that it probably won't happen?
MR. FROMAN: We have a broad-based agenda with China and we always look forward to sitting down. The leaders always look forward to sitting down to discussing the various issues in the bilateral relationship and globally. Since this meeting didn't happen, they'll look forward to their next meeting.
MR. HAMMER: All right, thank you very much and we expect they will have Mike come back at some point later in the day.
Thanks, guys.
11:20 A.M. (Local)
11:20 A.M. (Local)


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Jethro Tull is progressive rock / folk rock band which formed in Blackpool, Lancashire, England in 1967. Their music is marked by the initially soulful and bluesy, and later expressively idiosyncratic, vocal style and unique lead flute work of frontman Ian Anderson; and by unusual and often complex song construction. Their music, though starting with blues rock with an experimental flavour, has incorporated elements of classical and celtic folk music, as well as art rock and alternative rock.
Anderson has attributed the marked difference between their music and the music of their contemporaries to the group's avoidance of narcotics. While other music groups did influence them in their early years, they quickly developed a unique, instantly recognizable sound.
Ian Anderson's first band, started in 1963 in Blackpool, was known as The Blades. It had developed by 1966 into a seven-piece white soul band called the John Evan Band (later the John Evan Smash), named for pianist/drummer John Evans, who dropped the final "s" from his name to make it sound less ordinary. At this point, Barriemore Barlow was the band's drummer, as he would later be for Tull itself beginning in early 1971. However, after moving to London, most of the band quit, leaving Anderson and bassist Glenn Cornick to join forces with blues guitarist Mick Abrahams and his friend, drummer Clive Bunker, both from the band McGregor's Engine. At first, they had trouble getting repeat bookings and took to changing their name frequently to continue playing the London club circuit. Band names were often supplied by the staff of their booking agents, one of whom, a history buff, eventually christened them Jethro Tull after the 18th century agriculturist who invented the seed drill. This name stuck simply by virtue of the fact that they were using it the first time a club manager liked their show enough to invite them to return.
After an unsuccessful single (an Abrahams-penned pop tune called "Sunshine Day" on which the band's name was misspelled "Jethro Toe", making it a collector's item), they released the bluesy album This Was in 1968. Accompanying music written by Anderson and Abrahams was the traditional arrangement "Cat's Squirrel", which highlighted Abraham's blues-rock style. The Rahsaan Roland Kirk-penned jazz piece "Serenade to a Cuckoo" gave Anderson a showcase for his growing skills as a flute player.
Following this album, Abrahams left (forming his own band, Blodwyn Pig). There were a number of reasons for his departure: he was a blues purist, while Anderson wanted to branch out into other forms of music; Abrahams and Cornick did not get along; and Abrahams was unwilling to travel internationally or play more than three nights a week, while the others wanted to be successful by playing as often as possible and building an international fan base. Anderson instead chose Tony Iommi (later of Black Sabbath) to replace Abrahams. Iommi, however, felt uncomfortable and decided to leave after only a few weeks, though he agreed to stay on through Tull's appearance on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. (On the progam, where the band played "A Song for Jeffrey", only Ian's vocals and flute were live; everything else was played from a backing tape.) Iommi was replaced by former Motivation, Penny Peeps and Gethsemane member Martin Barre, who impressed Anderson with his persistence more than anything else: he was so nervous at his first audition that he could hardly play at all, and then showed up for a second audition without a cord to connect his guitar to an amplifier. Despite this, Barre would become the second longest-standing member of the band after Anderson; he is still with the band as of 2010.
This new line-up released Stand Up in 1969, the band's only UK number 1 album. Written entirely by Anderson?with the exception of the jazzy rearrangement of J. S. Bach's "Bourr?e" ? it branched out further from the blues though not yet approaching the up-and-coming style of progressive rock being developed at the time by groups such as King Crimson, The Nice and Yes. Stand Up feels, instrumentally, not entirely unlike a jazz-tinged early Led Zeppelin album, with a heavy and slightly dark sound. The "Living in the Past" single of the same year reached No. 3 in the UK chart, and though most other progressive groups actively resisted issuing singles at the time, they had further success with other singles, "Sweet Dream" (1969), "The Witches' Promise" (1970), and a 5-track EP "Life Is a Long Song" (1971), all of which made the Top 20. Although inspired by jazz musician Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" "Living" is much closer to the American rock and roll artists than to jazz - a trend which has continued throughout the history of Jethro Tull to the present day. In 1970, they added keyboardist John Evan (although technically he was only a guest musician at this stage) and released the album Benefit which has a continuity owing as much to studio technique as to compositional skill.
Bassist Cornick left following Benefit, replaced by Jeffrey Hammond, a childhood friend of Anderson whose name appeared in the songs "A Song for Jeffrey," "Jeffrey Goes to Leicester Square," and "For Michael Collins, Jeffrey, and Me." Jeffrey was often credited on Tull albums as 'Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond', but the extra 'Hammond' was phony.
This line-up released Tull's best-known work, Aqualung in 1971. The album is a combination of heavy rock music focusing on themes such as social outcasts and organized religion, and some lighter acoustic fare about the mundanity of everyday life. Aqualung is adored and reviled in equal amounts, although the title track and "Locomotive Breath" feature on most classic rock stations.
Anderson's writing voiced strong opinions about religion and society. The title character of "Aqualung" is a homeless alcoholic pedophile and the focus of the song "Cross-eyed Mary" is an underage prostitute. "My God" is a full-frontal assault on ecclesiastic excesses: "People what have you done / locked Him in His golden cage. / Made Him bend to your religion / Him resurrected from the grave. / He is the god of nothing / if that's all that you can see." In contrast the gentle acoustic "Wond'ring Aloud" is a love song.
Drummer Bunker was replaced by Barriemore Barlow in early 1971; he first recorded with the band for the EP "Life Is a Long Song" and made his first appearance on a Jethro Tull album with 1972's Thick as a Brick. This was a concept album consisting of a single very long track split over the two sides of the LP, with a number of movements melded together and some repeating themes. The first movement with its distinctive acoustic guitar riff got some airplay on rock stations at the time and occasionally turns up in modern classic-rock programming as a "deep" or "rare" cut. The lyrical content was jokingly accredited on the album cover, as having been written in an Essay by a young, fictitious boy named Gerald Bostock. Thick as a Brick was the first Jethro Tull album to reach #1 on the (US) Billboard Pop Albums chart (the following year's A Passion Play being the only other; the featured songs on either album were over 40 minutes long). This album's quintet?Anderson, Barre, Evan, Hammond and Barlow?was one of Tull's longest-standing line-ups, enduring until 1975.
1972 also saw the release of Living in the Past, a double-album compilation of singles, B-sides and outtakes (including the entirety of the "Life Is a Long Song" EP, which closes the album), with a single side recorded live in 1970 at New York's Carnegie Hall. The live tracks excepted, it is regarded by many Tull fans as their best overall release. The title track (in 5/4 time) is one of their more enduring singles, though reportedly Anderson wrote it with the specific intent of preventing its ascent to the pop charts.
In 1973, the band attempted to record a double album in tax exile at Chateau d'Herouville (something the Rolling Stones and Elton John among others were doing at the time), but supposedly they were unhappy with the quality of the recording studio and abandoned the effort, subsequently mocking the studio as the "Chateau d'Isaster." (An excerpt from these recordings was released on the 1988 20 Years of Jethro Tull boxed set. The complete set was later released on the 1993 compilation Nightcap). Instead they quickly recorded and released A Passion Play, another single-track concept album with very allegorical lyrics. After several years of increasing popularity, A Passion Play sold well but received generally poor reviews. Up until this point, Ian Anderson had a friendly relationship with the rock press, but this album marked a turning point for the band. They had passed the peak of their popularity with the critics, even though their popularity with the public continued. However, 1974's War Child, an album originally intended to be a companion piece for a film, reached number 2 on the Billboard charts and received some critical acclaim, and produced the radio mainstay "Bungle in the Jungle". It also included a song, "Only Solitaire", allegedly aimed at L.A. Times rock music critic Robert Hilburn, who was one of Anderson's harsher critics. In 1975 the band released Minstrel in the Gallery, an album which resembled Aqualung in that it contrasted softer, acoustic guitar-based pieces with lengthier, more bombastic works headlined by Barre's electric guitar. Critics gave it mixed reviews, but the album ultimately came to be acknowledged as one of the band's most-beloved albums by longtime Tull fans, even as it generally fell under the radar to listeners familiar only with Aqualung. Following this album, bassist Hammond left the band, replaced by John Glascock.
1976's Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die! was another concept album, this time about the life of an aging rocker. Anderson, stung by critical reviews (particularly of A Passion Play), responded with more sharply-barbed lyrics. The press seemed oblivious to the ploy, and instead asked if the title track was autobiographical ? a charge Anderson hotly denied.
During the early 1970's Tull went from a progressive blues band to one of the largest concert draws in the world. In concert, the band was known for theatricality and long medleys with brief instrumental interludes. While early Tull show featured a manic Anderson with bushy hair and beard dressed in tattered overcoats and ragged clothes, as the band became bigger he moved towards varied costumes. This culminated with the War Child tour's oversized codpiece and colorful costume. Other band-members joined in the dress-up, with Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond dressed in a black and white diagonally striped outfit, John Evans dressed in a white suit, etc. Live shows featured interactive interludes including on-stage phone calls, brief films, and performance art such as costume play "The Story of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles".
As the band moved to a more settled style in the late 1970s, so too did Ian and the crew move towards more serene outfits and stage antics. Anderson often dressed as a country squire on tours in the late 1970s. However, the climactic conclusion of shows still included bombastic instrumentals and the famous giant balloons which Anderson would carry aloft over his head and toss into the crowd.
The band closed the decade with a trio of folk rock albums, Songs from the Wood, Heavy Horses and Stormwatch. Songs from the Wood was the first Tull album to receive unambiguously positive reviews since the time of Benefit and Living in the Past.
The band had long had ties to the folk-rockers Steeleye Span. Although not formally considered a part of the folk-rock movement (which had actually begun nearly a decade earlier with the advent of Fairport Convention), there was clearly a lot of exchanging of musical ideas between Tull and the folk-rockers. Also, at this time Anderson had moved to a farm in the countryside, and his new bucolic lifestyle is clearly reflected in these albums. In particular, the title track of Heavy Horses is a paean to draft horses.
The band continued to tour, and released a live double album in 1978. Entitled Bursting Out it featured dynamic live performances of the lineup that many Tull fans consider the golden era of the band. It also features Anderson's often-ribald stage banter with the audience and band members. ("David's gone for a pee. Ah, he's back. Did you give it a good shake?") The vinyl LP contains three tracks not found on initial CD editions, Martin Barre's guitar solo tracks "Quatrain" and "Conundrum" and a version of the 1969 UK single hit, "Sweet Dream." These tracks were restored in a re-mastered double-CD edition released in 2004.
During this time, David Palmer, who had orchestrated some strings for earlier Tull albums, formally joined the band, mainly on keyboards. Bassist Glascock died in 1979 following heart surgery and Stormwatch was completed without him (Anderson contributed bass on a few tracks). Anderson decided to record his first solo album.
Due to pressure from Chrysalis Records, Anderson released his solo album as a Jethro Tull album in 1980. Entitled A (taken from the labels on the master tapes for his scrapped solo album which had been marked simply A for Anderson), it featured Barre on electric guitar, Dave Pegg (Fairport Convention) on bass, and Mark Craney on drums. The album had a heavy electronic feel, contributed by guest keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson (ex-Roxy Music, UK). It had a sound and feel completely unlike anything Tull had exhibited before, highlighted by prominent use of synthesizers.
In keeping with the mood of innovation surrounding the album, Tull made an early foray into the emerging genre of music video with Slipstream, a movie of their concert at London's Hammersmith Odeon in September, 1980 featuring the A lineup. The electronic style of the album was even more pronounced in these live performances and was used to striking effect on some of the older songs, including "Locomotive Breath". The more familiar Tull sound was brought to the fore in an all acoustic version of "Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day" featuring Pegg on mandolin. Slipstream, long a rarity on VHS, was in 2004 included as a bonus DVD with the digitally-remastered edition of the A album.
Jobson and Craney departed following the A tour and Tull entered a period of revolving drummers (primarily Gerry Conway and Doane Perry). Peter-John Vettese replaced Jobson on keyboards, and the band returned to a folkier sound ? albeit with synthesizers ? for 1982's Broadsword and the Beast. 1981 marked the first year in their album career that the band did not release an album.
An Anderson solo album finally saw the light of day in 1983, in the form of the heavily electronic Walk into Light. As with later solo efforts by Anderson and Barre, some of these songs later made their way into Tull live sets.
In 1984 Tull released Under Wraps, a heavily electronic album. Although the band was reportedly proud of the sound, the album was not well-received, particularly in North America, and as a result of the throat problems Anderson developed singing the demanding Under Wraps material on tour, Tull went on a three-year hiatus during which Anderson began a highly successful salmon-farming business.
Tull returned stronger than anyone might have expected with 1987's Crest of a Knave. With Vettese absent (Anderson contributed the synth programming) and the band relying more heavily on Barre's electric guitar than they had since the early 1970s, the album was a critical and commercial success. They went on to win a 1989 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance, beating odds-on favorites Metallica. The award was particularly controversial as many did not consider Jethro Tull hard rock, much less heavy metal. The fact that it was the first time a Grammy geared towards metal was presented it was seen as a particularly hard blow and insult for heavy metal fans (after this, and perhaps because of this, separate Grammys were awarded for hard rock and heavy metal in the following years). Under advisement from their manager, no one from the band turned up to the award ceremony. They were told that they had no chance of winning, lucky for them, as soon as they were announced the winners metal fans in the audience booed. In response to the criticism they received over the award, the band then took out an advert in a British music periodical with the line, "The flute is a heavy metal instrument!".
The style of Crest has been compared to that of Dire Straits, in part because Anderson seemed to no longer have the vocal range he once possessed. Tull's frank treatment of sexuality was unabated, however. The album contains the popular live song "Budapest", which depicts a backstage scene with a shy local female stagehand. The staging on the 1989 tour (supporting Rock Island) featured projected silhouettes of lithe dancers during the song "Kissing Willie", ending with an image that bordered on pornographic. Another song from Rock Island called "Big Riff and Mando" reflects life on the road for the relentlessly touring musicians, giving a wry account of the theft of Barre's prized mandolin by a star-struck fan.
1988 was notable for the release of 20 Years of Jethro Tull, a 5-LP themed set (also released as an unthemed 3-CD set and as a truncated single CD version) consisting largely of outtakes from throughout the band's history as well as a variety of live and digitally remastered tracks. It also included a booklet outlining the band's history in detail.
After Rock Island, the band released Catfish Rising, Roots to Branches and J-Tull Dot Com that are less heavy-rock-based than Crest of a Knave was. While Catfish Rising has an overtly bluesy feel to it, the other two albums incorporate more folk and world-music influences, reflecting the musical influences of decades of performing all around the globe. In songs such as "Out of the Noise" and "Hot Mango Flush", Anderson paints vivid pictures of 3rd-world street scenes. These albums have reflected Anderson's coming to grips with being an old rocker, with songs such as the pensive "Another Harry's Bar", "Wicked Windows" (a meditation on reading glasses) and the gruff "Wounded, Old, and Treacherous".
1992's A Little Light Music was a mostly-acoustic live album which was well received by fans due to its different takes on many past compositions. This record also boasts of the arguably best vocal performance from Anderson in several years, as well as a rendition of the folk song "John Barleycorn."
In 1995 Anderson released his second solo album, Divinities: Twelve Dances with God, an instrumental work comprising 12 flute-heavy pieces that pursue varied themes with an underlying motif.
The band has endured into the 21st century and has continued to release new albums on a semi-regular basis. Recently, Anderson's voice seems to have regained some of its previous range. 2003 saw the release of The Jethro Tull Christmas Album, which showcases the excellent musical abilities of all the band members with a collection of traditional Christmas songs together with old and new Christmas songs written by Jethro Tull.
As of April 2005, according to the official Tull website, Anderson said the band has no plans to record any new studio albums in the near future and that he would prefer to dedicate his time to touring with both Tull and his solo Rubbing Elbows band. He would also like to make more guest appearances with other musicians, live and in the studio. There was an Ian Anderson live double album and DVD released in 2005 called Ian Anderson Plays the Orchestral Jethro Tull. In addition, a DVD entitled Nothing Is Easy: Live at the Isle of Wight 1970 and a live album Aqualung Live (recorded in 2004) were released in 2005.
Ex-drummer Mark Craney, from the short-lived 1980-1981 line-up, died of diabetes and pneumonia on November 26th, 2005. He had suffered through a history of health problems including kidney ailments, paralysis and a heart condition; a number of Tull members (including Anderson) contributed to a recent charity album, Something with a Pulse, to help Craney pay medical bills and return to health.
The band has discussed the possibility of recording a new studio album by October 2006, which to date hasn't materialized. The band has evolved into a "family" now working with a large group of different musicians on both sides of the ocean, playing alternately acoustic, orchestral and electric sets.


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The chant of "This is awesome" has recently become the at times clichéd chant to use by audiences. In the case of ROH's Milestone Series however, the chant is apt. Hearkening back to the NWA Great American Bash tour, ROH this spring put together a series of shows that not only is some of the best work they have ever done, but is the best consecutive series of wrestling shows in a long time.
The series starts with the company's Fourth Anniversary Show on February 25th in Edison, New Jersey. The show is a sign of things to come, marking the return of Jay and Mark Briscoe to ROH, a brutal ghetto fight between Colt Cabana and Homicide, a great Bryan Danielson vs. Jimmy Rave match and is capped off with a tag title match that has Generation Next's Austin Aries and Roderick Strong defending against their GenNext teammate Matt Sydal and AJ Styles. From top to bottom this show is a fitting celebration of the company's arrival at the four-year mark.
Up next is Arena Warfare, from March 11th, coming from where else but the ECW Arena in Philadelphia. This was the company's debut in the historic building and unfortunately it doesn't have the big show feel that an event of this magnitude should have. It's certainly an entertaining show, but is just lacking something. It could be just that I saw so much great wrestling in this series that took away from it. The show-ending brawl between the ROH locker room and rival Combat Zone Wrestling however is incredibly intense. My only complaint is that as someone who doesn't follow CZW regularly I only knew a handful of those involved in the assault — namely Super Dragon and Sonjay Dutt from their work in other promotions, and John Zandig because he announced himself. Some more clarity into what the casual fan was seeing would have been appreciated.
That would pretty much be the last of my criticism of any of the shows. The promotion's New York City return on March 25th, dubbed Best in the World, is headlined by Pro Wrestling Noah stars KENTA and Naomichi Marufuji against ROH Champion Bryan Danielson & Samoa Joe, who all prove why the show was named that. It is a hard-hitting blend of old school, Japanese and new wrestling and it works perfectly. The semi-main event of The Briscoe Brothers vs. Roderick Strong and Jack Evans is a dream match that was nearly two years in the making. As Strong and Evans have gelled as a team ROH fans wanted to see the Briscoes return to show what these two could do, and boy do they deliver.
Up next is Ring of Honor's first Triple-shot — three shows Wrestlemania weekend. The first is in Detroit for March 30th's Dragon Gate Challenge, named for appearances of stars from the Japanese promotion, who would appear an all three shows. Much like the stars of Michinoku Pro in ECW nearly a decade ago, they certainly are show stealers. Dragon Kid & Genki Horiguchi vs. AJ Styles and Matt Sydal and Blood Generation vs. Generation Next are off the charts with fast-paced moves and innovation that was a teaser for what would happen the next night. BJ Whitmer and Jimmy Jacobs have a great match that is marred by a truly scary moment in which Whitmer tries to powerbomb Jacobs off the top, slips and they both crash to the floor. How they continued the match is beyond me. Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels have a grudge match to headline the show which, if you have seen their bouts in TNA you will not want to miss.
Supercard of Honor is a double-disc set from April 1st in Chicago. Out of the ten matches on the card, the show stealer is the six-man tag between Do Fixer (Dragon Kid, Genki Horigucho and Ryo Saito) and Blood Generation (CIMA, Naruki Doi, & Masato Yoshino.) The match had the crowd chanting "Please don't stop" and made SLAM! Wrestling editor Greg Oliver, in attendance, remember why he loves wrestling. Even without the live atmosphere the match lives up to the hype. I took this DVD to my friend Scott's house and all he could keep saying was "Oh my god." On what is overall an excellent show, this match of the year candidate truly stands out. Despite being worn out from the six man, there are also matches like AJ Styles & Matt Sydal vs. Austin Aries and Jack Evans which almost steals match of the night from the six-man, and a brutal and hard fought main event between ROH Champ Bryan Danielson and Roderick Strong. I still cringe just thinking about Strong's chops.
While people rave about Supercard of Honor, and rightfully so, as an overall event the next night's Better Than Our Best surpasses it. The opening Six-Man Mayhem featuring Ace Steel, Jack Evans, Matt Sydal, Jimmy Jacobs and Jake and Dave Crist is a great way to kick off the show. Jimmy Rave, Alex Shelley & Masato Yoshino vs. Do Fixer and Strong & Aries vs. Blood Generation continue the trend of amazing matches featuring the Dragon Gate talent. Just looking at the participants in the Four Corner Survival should tell you what you need to know — AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Jimmy Yang. Lance Storm proves he can still go by coming out of retirement to challenge Bryan Danielson and the show caps off with a fun, sick and violent Chicago Street Fight between Homicide and Colt Cabana that ends their lengthy feud.
The milestone series ends with a milestone — The 100th Show in Philadelphia on April 22nd. Chris Daniels and Claudio Castagnoli have a great opener, the tag title match with Aries & Strong against Homicide and Ricky Reyes is typical of both teams work and Bryan Danielson vs. Delirious is highly entertaining. Watching Jay and Mark Briscoe take on Matt Sydal and AJ Styles made me remember the first ROH matches I ever saw, with Styles teaming with the Amazing Red to take on the Briscoes. It was those matches that first made me interested in ROH, and while it is Matt Sydal now the match is just as good as what I remembered. The show's finale is an all out interpromotional brawl between ROH's Samoa Joe, Adam Pearce and BJ Whitmer and CZW's Chris Hero, Super Dragon and Necro Butcher.
What stands out to me, aside from the match quality on the shows, is the number of intricate feuds that continue or conclude within the series in addition to one-off matches. The story of Christopher Daniels trying to get his first ROH pinfall victory over Samoa Joe, the tension of Matt Sydal targeting his own stablemates for the tag titles, the determination of Roderick Strong to achieve his dream of the ROH title, the brutality of Cabana vs. Homicide and the build between the war of ROH vs. CZW all unfold beautifully here. Some feuds end, some begin and leave you hungering for the next release so you can see more.
If watching widows disgrace the memory of their loved ones or seeing the owners of the company on your TV every week has you wondering why you watch wrestling anymore, you'd be well advised to order yourself the Ring of Honor Milestone Series. While best as a set, any of the shows, especially the Wrestlemania Weekend ones, will help you rediscover what it is that you love about professional wrestling.
You should get these shows simply because this is awesome.


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An exemption is available for your FIF interests in:
- an entity that is treated as a corporation and is subject to trust on its worldwide income, and
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Alternatively, your FIF interests in the entity are exempt where:
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- income or gains from non-USA sources
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does not exceed 5% of the total value of all interests held by the entity in other entities, and
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Use the entity's accounting records to determine the values of FIF interests and assets when considering whether this condition for exemption is satisfied.
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It is time for our Friday's Favorite ♥Linky Party♥
My favorite for this friday is simple
Now what's your favorite?
Remember... anything goes!
Y'all join the party,
Lemon Meringue Cupcakes
24 lemoney cupcakes
1 jar lemon curd
Paula Deen's 7 Minute Frosting When it was time for dessert~ I topped each of the cupcakes with a dollop of lemon curd. Then a larger dollop of the 7 minute frosting that I had made earlier in the day (which answers the question... is this meringue stable enough to last in the fridge?). I torched each cupcake until the meringue was lightly toasted.
They were fabulous!
and fancy :-{)
Thanks bunches to my new bloggy friend Susi. She even responded to my email's while I was in the kitchen... It was almost like having a bloggy friend at the kitchen counter while I was cooking. Y'all enjoy~


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by Simon Armitage
It begins as a house, an end terrace
in this case
but it will not stop there. Soon it is
an avenue
which cambers arrogantly past the Mechanics' Institute,
turns left
at the main road without even looking
and quickly it is
a town with all four major clearing banks,
a daily paper
and a football team pushing for promotion.
On it goes, oblivious of the Planning Acts,
the green belts,
and before we know it it is out of our hands:
city, nation,
hemisphere, universe, hammering out in all directions
until suddenly,
mercifully, it is drawn aside through the eye
of a black hole
and bulleted into a neighbouring galaxy, emerging
smaller and smoother
than a billiard ball but weighing more than Saturn.
People stop me in the street, badger me
in the check-out queue
and ask "What is this, this that is so small
and so very smooth
but whose mass is greater than the ringed planet?"
It's just words
I assure them. But they will not have it.
Last updated May 12, 2019